Anyone else have dirt bikes and ATVs riding through your neighborhood? (Philadelphia: how much, live)

[Pine to Vine]

We’re in the third summer of loud dirt bikes, ATVs and souped-up motorcycles and such riding the streets in the evening. Some are outfitted with loud (I mean LOUD) sound systems and many lack mufflers. There’s been a noted uptick this year, I’m guessing because there little else for people to do.

Is this just a Center City thing or is it wider spread through the city? And even the burbs, perhaps?

[Fireshaker]

Oh, it's definitely a citywide thing. I hear and see them all over, not just in Center City.

Now, as for the burbs, I have no idea. I would imagine that most suburban police forces would be much less tolerant of that than the PPD seems to be. Which is yet again something else that doesn't speak highly for city QOL, as these things are the worst and I would love to see the city crack down on them.

[Muinteoir]

I think Center City, proportionally, sees less of it than many other sections of town. Although, the bigger groups really love circling around Eakins Circle, much to the bewilderment of visitors. When I lived in West Philadelphia (Mantua), they were all over. Just the other day I was walking through a park in Germantown and there was a young kid (probably 16 or 17) speeding through with his dirt bike on a walking path, no helmet. My ever-growing parental instinct kicked in and I felt so afraid for his life.

[Pine to Vine]

Appreciate the responses.

It can be pretty bad where we are. We have to pause the tv sometimes because the noise is so loud. The police just watch. I know it’s not the easiest problem to solve, but I would think the kids would feel empowered if police look the other way.

I read earlier this year that they impounded 60 or so vehicles. I heard an unconfirmed claim that they are sell them back to the owners in an auction. Dunno if that’s true. The police chief made a statement earlier this year that they would be aggressive in taking them off the streets. Not seeing that.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

We’re in the third summer of loud dirt bikes, ATVs and souped-up motorcycles and such riding the streets in the evening. Some are outfitted with loud (I mean LOUD) sound systems and many lack mufflers. There’s been a noted uptick this year, I’m guessing because there little else for people to do.

Is this just a Center City thing or is it wider spread through the city? And even the burbs, perhaps?

Yes, wider. Years ago it was traditional motorcycles. They've used Spring Garden St as a "highway" for ages.

The fireworks are over it seems.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Fireshaker

Oh, it's definitely a citywide thing. I hear and see them all over, not just in Center City.

Now, as for the burbs, I have no idea. I would imagine that most suburban police forces would be much less tolerant of that than the PPD seems to be. Which is yet again something else that doesn't speak highly for city QOL, as these things are the worst and I would love to see the city crack down on them.

I've lived in the city since 1995. It was going on then but with different vehicles and different types of people.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

Appreciate the responses.

It can be pretty bad where we are. We have to pause the tv sometimes because the noise is so loud. The police just watch. I know it’s not the easiest problem to solve, but I would think the kids would feel empowered if police look the other way.

I read earlier this year that they impounded 60 or so vehicles. I heard an unconfirmed claim that they are sell them back to the owners in an auction. Dunno if that’s true. The police chief made a statement earlier this year that they would be aggressive in taking them off the streets. Not seeing that.

Well, statements made before the pandemic almost feel like a lifetime ago.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Well, statements made before the pandemic almost feel like a lifetime ago.

This was back in mid-May: https://www.phillyvoice.com/philly-p...bikes-illegal/

Post pandemic but pre-looting/protests. Now that they’ve stopped beating up and tear gassing protesters, maybe they can spend their time addressing this problem instead of partying with the proud boys.

[lpranger467]

Seriously ? so you want the police to do something and in the same breath imply they're racist and abusive ? Maybe its ok to you that they throw bricks and rocks at the police, not with me. Frankly this is why liberals are so out of touch, You expect miracles (safe urban areas) but wont support the people who are charged with doing so.

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

This was back in mid-May: https://www.phillyvoice.com/philly-p...bikes-illegal/

Post pandemic but pre-looting/protests. Now that they’ve stopped beating up and tear gassing protesters, maybe they can spend their time addressing this problem instead of partying with the proud boys.

[Fireshaker]

Originally Posted by lpranger467

Frankly this is why liberals are so out of touch, You expect miracles (safe urban areas) but wont support the people who are charged with doing so.

Not to get too OT, but--

You can support police (and the idea of policing) and be critical of the job they're doing and the resources they're consuming. The two are not mutually exclusive. Somewhere along the line a lot of people bought into the fallacy that even the slightest criticism of cops automatically = a hatred of cops, and that's just simply not true. It's possible to support police AND believe they should be held to a higher standard of behavior.

As it pertains to this issue, in my experience the cops have never lifted a single finger to stop these ATVs, no matter how much of a nuisance or a reckless influence they are. It would be great if they did, but I've learned the PPD has zero interest in enforcing any QOL laws in the city. Certainly not now, but not before the pandemic either. If they are unable or unwilling to do so, then that speaks to the need for funding other city government agencies to do it instead.